Fair salary

U.S.A. California

Published

Dear all,

I'm currently planning to move to California for work. I passed my NCLEX and now I'm just dealing with the visa process.

I am being guided trough the process by a recruitment agency and I have an offer where they offer me 42dollars/hr.

I have 10 years of experience 2 in a neurosurgery ICU; 6 in a neurosurgery ward and currently I'm working on a cardiothoracic ICU which is an ECMO Center. I am planning to take my ECMO course to be an ECMO nurse specialist in November. After this, my questions are:

- Is this a fair salary for California and for my experience?

- Which in your opinion would be an appropriate salary?

Hope someone can help me and thank you so much in advance.

kind regards,

P

Specializes in Critical Care.

Hello,

I'm Paulo. Nice to meet someone that is "in the same boat" :)

Yeah I tought the same and then three years just goes very quick. After, we can negotiate a better contract.

Have you done your interview with the hospital? Mine will be next Tuesday. How was it? Any hints?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, Emergency, Cardiology, Respiratory.

I haven't had my interview yet.

It is hard moving from another country because no matter how experienced you are, you have to start from scratch.

I'm not 100% sure of the move but because my parents live there I am happy to move.

Where I'm working in Australia I get about USD36/hour but the penalty rates here are 12.5% for PM hours, 20% for night hours, 50% for saturdays and 75% for sundays. You get 6 weeks of annual leave a year plus a paid day off every month, 3 days worth of professional development leave a year, professional development allowance worth 2k.

So moneywise, not really much of a difference moving to the States unless I get 60/hour.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That is a low rate for San Jose, one of the highest cost of living areas in the US. In less than ten years, I noticed that the rent for a one bedroom apartment almost tripled. You can expect more of the same for the long haul and should plan accordingly.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

And if I decide to buy a house? It's easy to get a loan for someone that just arrived? I saw some mortgages for a two bedroom house around 600 dollars/month which is much more affordable. Then you can always rent the other room if you need to...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you can find a mortgage for a house in San Jose for $600 a month, then you have found the Mother Lode.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, Emergency, Cardiology, Respiratory.

600 per month for a mortgage in San Jose sounds like a dream and it probably is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Well maybe I saw it wrong but the mortgage must be less than to rent right?!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, RNC.

I don't think you will find a $600 mortgage anywhere in CA, even the less desirable areas. I live in one of the cheapest parts of the state and you can't find a house (even in a really bad part of town, meaning you run the risk of being shot on a daily basis) for less than $200k.

I have a girlfriend who just bought a small 1400 sq ft house in that area for nearly a million dollars. Granted it was in a "good" neighborhood, and a good school district, but the house was nothing special. Buying is not cheaper. Buying is completely out of reach for many. If you can find a small condo for less than $400k you will have hit the jackpot. With taxes and insurance and HOA fees, that would probably run you around $3k a month, assuming you get a stellar interest rate.

People are not exaggerating when they say the cost of living is high.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Dear jgardner,

I truly believe that people are not exaggerating and I do apologise if it seems that. The fact being that I was doing a websearch on zillow and I found things (a few) like this: 152

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

PS: I don't want to be misunderstood. Please don't think I'm doubting. I just don't have any clue and I want to understand :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, RNC.
Dear jgardner,

I truly believe that people are not exaggerating and I do apologise if it seems that. The fact being that I was doing a websearch on zillow and I found things (a few) like this: 152 E Capitol Expy SPC 111, San Jose, CA 95121 | MLS #ML81611865 | Zillow

Is this a lie? Is this a bad zone? Is this a bad house? Am I missing something?

That is $200k for a mobile home with no land. It is in a mobile home park, meaning you Also have to pay to rent the space that it is sitting on. And in general, mobile home parks are not generally in a safe area. And unsafe in CA is really scary.

Also keep in mind that when you see zillows payment estimates, they are assuming that you are putting down 20% and it doesn't include taxes or insurance.

Just a heads up. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

You might consider looking for a roommate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

About the flatmate decision just leave it with me ;)

Thank you so much for your input. Was really helpful and much appreciated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment